I can still see him... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Matthew 19:30.

I can still see him standing in front of me with his question: "It says, ‘The first will be last, and the last first.' I have always put others before me in my life, when I was at school and now in my job. I have never pushed myself forward. I am sure of a place in heaven, aren't I?"

Maybe others see a chance to earn a place in heaven through their own efforts in this verse from the Bible. However, the entire Bible, and the context in this case, warn especially against confidence in oneself and one's abilities.

It is not a question of obvious, exterior things, but of one's inner attitude. The parable that Jesus told about the two men who went to the temple to pray illustrates this. "The tax collector, standing afar off, beat his breast and said, God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" He was pronounced righteous by God, in stark contrast to the Pharisee who expressed pious words showing how he trusted in himself and considered himself righteous, instead of giving God the honour (Luke 18:9-14).

It is not a question of whether one has seen Jesus personally (like the Jews who rejected Him in His day), or whether one has read or heard of Him. The decisive question is: "Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ?" "When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and believed" (Acts 13:48).

It is not a question of a Christian or an atheistic upbringing. The decisive factor for eternal life is possessing new life from God: "Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'" (John 3:3).

We receive eternal life solely by hearing and believing (cf. John 5:24).

Today's reading: Jeremiah 32:26-44 · Romans 6:12-16